Garth Brooks will perform at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the country music star announced Monday.
Speaking to reporters Monday during a virtual press briefing organized by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Brooks called it “an honor” to be able to perform for any president, regardless of party affiliation.
Brooks said the invitation to perform at Wednesday’s event came from incoming first lady Jill Biden, who called and asked him to do so.
Brooks, a Republican, told reporters he made his decision Sunday evening.
While discussing why he accepted Biden’s request, he touted the incoming president’s message of unity.
“This is a great day. In our household, this is not a political statement, this is a statement of unity. This is history, and it is an honor to get to serve,” the “Friends in Low Places” singer remarked.
“This is kind of how I get to serve this country.”
“There is a common theme in every presidential election: New beginnings, new starts, but it is the word unity, the word love, the word that we belong to each other. It is going to take all of us, what I want for all of us to do is listen. We are more divided than ever, that bridge that brings us together, it is reaching across, loving one another, because that is what is going to get us through the most divided times that we have,” he continued.
Brooks went on to say he had “played for every president there is, since Carter,” before noting that he did not play for President Ronald Reagan.
Garth Brooks will perform at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic“It’s one of the things that, if my family is around, no matter who the president-elect is, it’s an honor to be asked.”
Brooks declined to say which songs he was considering for his performance, only noting he had “two or three options.”
The country music star noted that during his performance at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, “we were lucky enough to do ‘We Shall Be Free,’ ” adding that “I don’t think you’ll see that here.”
Aside from Brooks, pop music superstars Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga will also perform, with Gaga singing the national anthem.
